HENRY COULTER OBITUARY, WASHINGTON, NEW YORK

Copyright (c) 2000 by Michelle McKenzie (mlmckenzie@prodigy.net).

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From an unknown newspaper hand-dated November 8, 1894:

Henry Coulter, a prosperous farmer residing at McKie Hollow about five miles east of this
village, was found yesterday morning about daylight hanging in his horse stable, the body was
cold. He had not been missed from the house, his son Andrew found him. A new rope was used by
him, he was barely lifted from the small box that he had placed there, from the top of which he
had kicked the peck measure, standing upon which he had been able to reach the timber to which
he had fastened the rope, the lantern was yet burning. No one is able to assign a cause for
this sad ending of the life of a man esteemed by every one for his brave, open, manly
character. Several years ago Mrs. Coulter died, his three children have been his companion in
the home. They had observed that now and then their father seemed to be despondent, but nothing
to excite their apprehension. Mr. Coulter was a member of company G. 123d N.Y. Vols. during the
later war and was greatly beloved by all his comrades. Recently he had erected new buildings on
his farm, everything betokened thrift and prosperity. He was the second son of the late
"Jackson" James Coulter and is survived by two sons and a daughter, four brothers, John,
Alexander, Lewis and George and a sister, Mrs. J. H. Thompson of Greenwich. The funeral will be
at one o'clock tomorrow from his late residence.

Another unknown newspaper hand-dated November 8, 1894:

Suicide of a Prosperous Farmer

On yesterday morning the community was shocked to learn that Henry Coulter, a prosperous farmer
living five miles east of Cambridge, had committed suicide the night previous by hanging.

The exact time of the sad occurrence will never by known but sometime between nine o'clock
Wednesday night and Thursday morning he left his sleeping apartment in the house and went to
the barn where he suspended a rope from the ceiling and mounting a box, fixing the rope around
his neck, stepping off and took his own life.

His eldest son Andrew first missed his father Thursday morning and at once instituted a search.
He started for the barn little suspecting the awful sight that would meet his gaze, and the
minute he entered the barn door an exclamation of horror escaped from his lips. It was a most
horrible sight - his father suspended in midair with life extinct. The other members of the
family were at once notified and were horrified at the terrible affliction that had befell
them. The body was taken down, and as it had become cold the need of a doctor was unnecessary.

The cause of the rash deed of Mr. Coulter is not known though ever since his wife's death four
years ago he has been subject to despondent spells. He retired the night previous in perfect
health and it is thought that he had a fit of temporary insanity when he committed the act.

Coroner Dr. Young of Salem was notified and visited the scene yesterday afternoon but deemed an
inquest unnecessary.

Mr. Coulter was one of the most prosperous farmers in this section and was possessed of
considerable property. He was widely known throughout the town and his memory will be cherished
by hosts of friends.

The deceased is survived by two sons and three daughters, who have the profoundest sympathy of
the entire community in their terrible affliction.

An unknown newspaper hand-dated November 16, 1894:

The funeral of Henry Coulter, who committed suicide, was held Saturday. Mr. Coulter was one of
five sons of the late James Coulter of Jackson. Four brothers and a sister survive him. Mr.
Coulter's wife, who was Miss Phoebe Small of Jackson, died three years ago. There are three
children living, two sons and one daughter. All the families connected with the deceased are
very much respected and wealthy. The cause of Mr. Coulter's suicide probably will never be
known. Since his wife's death he had been melancholy at times, and it is thought that his
troubles had unsettled his mind. Dr. Young of Salem was notified and viewed the remains, but
did not think an inquest was necessary.

An unknown newspaper hand-dated November 16, 1894:

One of the saddest incidents we have ever been called upon to report is the suicide of Henry
Coulter of Ash Grove. Reared in affluence, with the most respected of parents and relatives,
with four brothers and a sister all happily married, and with two sons and a daughter, it would
seem as if he had much to live for but since the death of his wife, four years ago, he has been
subject to melancholia, which increased until in the end he deliberately took his own life. It
is the general supposition that the act was committed in a moment of temporary insanity. The
funeral was held Saturday, and the large number of relatives and friends who attended the
______ attested to the high esteem in with the deceased was held.